In an effort to strengthen their roster, the Detroit Tigers have made a series of roster moves, as announced earlier today. The team has selected the contract of outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy, a move that was reported yesterday. Additionally, first baseman Spencer Torkelson has been optioned to open up a spot on the active roster. To accommodate the addition of Malloy, infielder Buddy Kennedy has been designated for assignment, clearing a 40-man spot. Furthermore, the Tigers have made the decision to release first baseman Keston Hiura.

It is reported that Torkelson will now serve as the regular first baseman for the Triple-A Toledo team, while Hiura will return to the open market to explore other opportunities.

Kennedy, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals in February and has primarily been on optional assignment this year. He has had limited appearances, stepping to the plate only 13 times in the major leagues. While his plate discipline has been commendable, with a walk rate of 11.7%, his overall performance has been lackluster, with a batting line of .234/.331/.383 and a wRC+ of 88, indicating that he has been performing below league average.

Kennedy's versatility and previous success have garnered interest from teams in the past. He has shown his ability to draw walks consistently, achieving a 16.8% walk rate while playing for Arizona's Triple-A club last year. He has also exhibited flexibility by playing in all four infield positions and even spending time in left field.

The Tigers now have a week to either trade Kennedy or place him on waivers. Given his past performances and skill set, it is expected that there will be a considerable amount of interest from other teams. Kennedy has experienced several moves in the past year, transitioning from the Diamondbacks to the Athletics, Cardinals, and now the Tigers through waiver claims.

As for Hiura, the 27-year-old player signed a minor league deal with the Tigers during the offseason and has been with the Triple-A affiliate, the Mud Hens, for the majority of the season. Despite hitting six home runs, Hiura has struggled with a high strikeout rate of 28.1% and an underwhelming batting line of .232/.312/.401, resulting in a wRC+ of 83. This has been consistent with his career performance, as he has demonstrated power with 50 home runs in 1,057 major league plate appearances, but has also been plagued by a significant 36% strikeout rate.

With Torkelson taking over the first base role in Toledo, Hiura will now explore other options in the hopes of finding a suitable opportunity. Although his performance this year has been subpar, Hiura's potential for power remains an intriguing aspect.

The Tigers continue to make strategic moves to strengthen their roster and will now focus on the development and contributions of new additions such as Malloy and Torkelson, while bidding farewell to Hiura and considering the future of Kennedy in their organization.